The Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) and the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) are hosting a business after-hours event on Wednesday, May 13 at the Conference Center at Lake Placid from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. ROOST and ORDA have collaborated for several years to host these events, sharing information about summer plans, upcoming events, local business activities, and to encourage professional networking among attendees. According to ROOST COO Mary Jane Lawrence, this month’s event is offering a slightly different format. “We are presenting a new micro-learning format at the Business After Hours event,” she said. “It will feature a series of 5-minute presentation stations aimed at conveying key information from both ROOST and ORDA which will be sharing information about optimizing business listings, ROOST toolkits for businesses, media assets for use by businesses, the Olympic Authority reciprocal program allowing local businesses to learn more about the Olympic venues, Lake Placid conferences and group sales, and more.”Representatives from the Olympic Authority and ROOST will also share information and updates about a variety of projects, attractions, activities, and events taking place during the summer months.ROOST will also introduce the Adirondacks, USA Marketplace, an exciting new initiative designed to showcase products from locally based retail businesses and artisans launching this summer. Developed by ROOST to connect shoppers with products from retailers throughout the region, it is supported by ROOST’s marketing initiatives, creating valuable connections between local businesses and ROOST’s audiences. Adirondacks, USA Marketplace will support a wide range of vendors, including retail, local artisans, and specialty goods. The event is open to business owners, managers, administrative team members and frontline staff at businesses throughout Essex County. Those wishing to attend should pre-register by emailing Kristin@ROOSTadk.com.

The Lake Placid July 4th Organizing Committee is inviting community members to take part in the annual Independence Day celebration, which features a parade down Main Street. Organizers are calling on the community to help make this year’s event the most vibrant yet, with all encouraged to participate. The parade will take place on Saturday, July 4, beginning at 5:00 p.m.Businesses, civic groups, school groups, neighborhood crews, clubs (official or unofficial), and individuals of all ages are encouraged to join in the fun, whether by entering a float, marching, dancing, rolling, or walking in the parade. This year’s theme is "Rings of Independence: Celebrating 250 Years and Lake Placid's Legacy." Decorate your floats, vehicles, bikes, etc. to celebrate Lake Placid and its legacy. “We want this to feel like a true hometown celebration,” said Catherine Ericson, ROOST community liaison and member of the organizing committee. “This parade is about bringing people together in a fun, visible way along Main Street. We welcome everyone from local businesses and scout troops to workplace teams and groups of friends to join in. It’s an opportunity to showcase the creativity, pride, and energy that define this community.”To register, contact Catherine Ericson at the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) via email: catherine@roostadk.com. Please include your name, group name, contact info, and note whether you will be entering a float or walking/biking. Registration is due by June 12.The parade lineup begins at 4:15 p.m. on Parkside Drive. Announcers at Mid’s Park will introduce each group as it passes. Children on bikes should gather behind the Post Office. Parkside Drive will be closed to traffic from 4:15 p.m. until the parade has passed at approximately 5 p.m. Due to safety reasons, if your group will have candy and other takeaways, please have someone outside of your vehicle or float handing items out. For additional event details and updates on the full day of Lake Placid’s Independence Day celebration — including music, food, family activities, and fireworks — visit: lakeplacid.com/events/lake-placid-july-4th.

Communities throughout the Adirondack region are preparing to welcome local farmers markets this summer and fall. Many markets will begin in late May and continue through mid-October.With more than 20 farmers markets throughout the Adirondacks, the region offers a wide variety of fresh produce, meats, bread, honey, dairy products, maple syrup, baked goods, handmade crafts, and other locally produced functional items and works of art. These markets take place throughout area towns and villages, including well-established locations in Lake Placid, Elizabethtown, Keene Valley, Saranac Lake, Schroon Lake, and Ticonderoga. Farmers market locations throughout the Adirondack region can be found at: AdirondacksUSA.com/farmers-markets.Adirondack Farmers Market Cooperative is an organization that supports small farms and local artisans throughout Essex County, enabling local agricultural producers the ability to sell fruits, vegetables, dairy products, bread, flowers and other farm products. It also helps to support the region’s numerous artisans and craftspeople who offer their one-of-a-kind, hand-made creations at farmers market locations throughout the area. According to Adirondack Farmers Market Cooperative President Glen Van Wie, farm products, along with items created by area artisans, provide a variety of items at farmers markets. Local production and sales contribute positively to communities in more ways than one. “We are fortunate to have several farms, artisans, local producers of beverages, maple syrup, flowers, honey, and more, all based throughout the Lake Champlain Region and within many of our towns and villages,” he said. “Having access to locally grown, farmed, and hand-made products is something that we don’t take for granted. Additionally, our farmers markets allow us to socialize with our neighbors as we browse - by bringing our community members together, the markets offer opportunities for important social connections.”Adirondack Harvest, another local organization committed to promoting local agriculture, encourages residents and visitors alike to explore their local farmers markets. “Farmers markets are not only convenient for purchasing fresh, seasonal, and locally grown food directly from the farmer; they also offer a chance to engage with the people who grow, harvest, and make these products,” said Isabella Susino, Adirondack Harvest program lead. “Agritourism is a wonderful way to learn about local Adirondack agricultural practices, animal care, and land stewardship, which are vital to the region’s economy.”Adirondack Harvest works to support agriculture throughout the region to increase opportunities for profitable and sustainable production of high-quality food and agricultural products, and to expand consumer choices for locally produced healthy food. The nonprofit connects farmers, producers, and consumers, helping to ensure that fresh produce is accessible to as many people as possible. It’s also important to note that local, state, and federal programs help provide financial assistance to those experiencing food insecurity, which can often be used at farm stores and farmers markets. Adirondack Harvest’s website provides a comprehensive guide to greater Adirondack and North Country farmers markets, where you can find out more about market locations and schedules, along with a detailed FAQ page listing food assistance programs available throughout the region.“Farmers markets offer more than just fresh food - they provide a true taste of the Adirondack way of life,” said Susino. “Shopping locally not only supports small farms and reduces environmental impact, but it also strengthens the communities where we live and places that visitors experience while they’re here.”2026 Farmers MarketsCrown Point: Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at 2065 County Highway 2, Veterans Memorial Park - July 16 to August 27, 2026, as part of the Crown Point Market & Music series.Elizabethtown: Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 7590 Court Street - June 12 to August 28, 2026.Indian Lake: Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 106 Crow Hill Road - July 4 to September 26, 2026.Keene Valley: Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 2204 NY-73 Scenic - May 24 to October 11, 2026.Lake Placid: Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 2634 Main Street - July 1 to September 2, 2026.Long Lake: Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on South Hill Road - June 25 to September 3, 2026.Port Henry: Fridays from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 36 Harbour Lane - June 19 to September 4, 2026.Saranac Lake: Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on River Street - May 16 to October 10, 2026.Schroon Lake: Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 15 Leland Avenue - June 13 to September 5, 2026.Speculator: Thursdays from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on NY-30 - June 18 to September 3, 2026.Ticonderoga: Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at 3 McCormick St. - July 11 to October 10, 2026.Tupper Lake: Fridays from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 320 Park Street - June 26 to September 11, 2026.Willsboro: Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Gateway Park - June 11 - September 3, 2026

The 2026 Great Adirondack Garage Sale is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, May 22-24, within the Adirondack region of upstate New York. The event takes place throughout communities along a 200-mile trail, on NYS routes 28, 30, and 3.The region-wide garage sale is a popular kick-off to the summer season, with residents and visitors embracing the opportunity to buy and sell unique household items, gently used furnishings, home accessories, and quirky treasures. According to Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism Regional Manager KC Morrison, the sale offers an opportunity for local residents, second homeowners, and visitors to meet their neighbors and enjoy communities along the route. “The Great Adirondack Garage Sale attracts people from throughout the region and beyond, with many planning their annual visit to the Adirondack region each year to coincide with the event,” he said. “It offers a great opportunity for visitors to experience many of the Adirondack region’s charming communities as they travel from one area to another, searching for treasures.” The sale route meanders through the communities of Old Forge, Inlet, Raquette Lake, Indian Lake, Blue Mountain Lake, Long Lake, Tupper Lake, Cranberry Lake, Piercefield, Wanakena, Newcomb, and Speculator, with additional stops at small hamlets and rural locations in between. The garage sale route can be easily followed by using one of the printed maps available within each community. The event website, GreatAdirondackGarageSale.com, also includes an interactive map that showcases sale locations. Each listing includes information about available items, entered by the seller. Those wishing to add details about their garage sale can also use the event website by using the “add your sale” section. The listing is free.This regional garage sale originated in 2010 when the community of Long Lake coordinated its efforts with Old Forge, Inlet, and Indian Lake to promote 70 miles of garage sales. Hamilton County and the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism eventually expanded and promoted the sale. The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism is a destination marketing and management organization that leads tourism initiatives in Essex and Hamilton counties, Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake. ROOST’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for residents by managing and diversifying the region’s tourism economy while promoting sustainable visitation.

The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) has developed a free mobile app to help users navigate the Adirondack Rail Trail and connect with communities, businesses, services, events, and attractions along the route. The app is available through the App Store and Google Play. Users can access RailTrail.APP, a direct link that will automatically redirect to the appropriate App Store based on the user's device.ROOST envisioned and designed the app with two primary goals in mind: to provide practical navigation support for rail trail users, and to encourage economic activity in nearby communities. By helping users identify nearby towns, villages, restaurants, shops, attractions, and services, the app makes it easier for people to extend their rail trail outing into the surrounding communities.Users will be able to view their real-time position on the Adirondack Rail Trail, access trail information, and identify nearby communities and points of interest. The Adirondack Rail Trail is a 34-mile route through some of the most beautiful and remote areas between Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake, NY. While the trail’s remote setting is central to the experience, having access to information, navigation, and nearby services helps users more fully enjoy the trail and connect with the communities along the route.According to Adam DeSantis, director of economic development at ROOST, one of the app’s most important features is its offline capability. “Users can access key trail information and navigation tools even when they are outside of cellular or Wi-Fi service,” he said. “They can also search for nearby businesses and services and use the app to help navigate to those locations.”ROOST partnered with UpNCoding to build the app. UpNCoding is a local software engineering bootcamp that trains the next generation of software developers while partnering with local businesses to give students practical, project-based experience guided by seasoned instructors. The partnership allowed ROOST to help provide valuable career training while creating a new tool for Adirondack Rail Trail users.According to DeSantis, the project was funded through an Economic Development Administration grant designed to support local economies and strengthen tourism-related initiatives. “The grant aligned well with the opportunity to develop this app,” he said. “The app is designed to help people navigate this amazing outdoor resource, discover what is nearby, direct them to local businesses and services, and encourage more visitor activity in the communities along the rail trail.”Information about the Adirondack Rail Trail can be found at: AdirondacksUSA.com/adirondack-rail-trail.The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism is a destination marketing and management organization that leads tourism initiatives in Essex and Hamilton counties, along with the Adirondack communities of Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake. ROOST’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for residents by managing and diversifying the region’s tourism economy while promoting sustainable visitation.